INSURRECTION 



= AND 



OTHER POEMS 




SAN BIEC 



IPORNIA 







By 
Edith Maida Sturges 



San Diego, Cal.: 

SILVER GATE PRESS 

Printers 



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cNlrs, Starges, formerly Miss Edith Maida. Lessing, of Waco, 
Texas, Ivon quite a little prominence in her nati'oe State 'with her 
'bersesf also, as Poet Laureate of the Texas Woman's Press 
Association, 



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Insurredion 

The Race 

Love*s Garden 

Moonlight 

Tuberoses 

"You'* 

Mine! 

When He Cometh 

Waiting 

When We Are Old 

In Havana the Year We Fought 

with Spain 
Kismet 
Good-bye 
At Chri^mas-tide 
Haunted 

A Chri^mas Lullaby 
My Little Lad 



Ol0tttfttt0— tonttttuflu 



When Baby Died 

In Memory 

Missed 

Lo^ 

Was It You? 

To the Texas Press Association 

The Indians 

That Cow 

The Death of Mr. Cox 

Taps 

When the "Boys" Go Marching By 

Christmas in San Diego 

Her Charity 

A Summer Day 

Ice Bound 

Love's Threnody 



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What does this Life amount to — after all, 
We love — or hate — and then grow old and die, 

And thus unsatisfied, escape the thrall, 

That holds us prisoners here, we know not 
why. 

We plan and dream, and dream and plan again. 
And watch both dreams and plans escape and 
pass. 

Brief as the rainbow, glittering in the rain. 
Brief as summer dew, upon the grass. 

'Tis such a little while we linger here; 

We barely learn to live or love our life, 
Ere we like soldiers on the battle field. 

Are cut down in the midst of battle strife. 

Miserable puppets of a Master hand. 

Made to smirk and smile, and weep and rage. 

Held in subjection by Divine command. 

We storm and strut about our mimic stage. 

What futile buffetings of Fate are we. 

What thistle down, tossed by the restless wind. 

What miller's chaff — what dust — what nothing- 
ness! 
Seeking a hope, we do not dare to find. 



Some of us who hunger for the sea. 

Must inland live, land bound on every side. 
And never know its glad waves tumbling free. 



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Its windswept shore, nor hear its murmuring 
tide. 

And those of us who crave the distant plain, 
With wealth of prairie, wide and wild and 
lone, 
Vast, grand, immutable, must live entombed. 
By four grim walls, of mortar, brick and 
stone. 

And there are we who love the city mart, 
Crowded, noisy, restless, guilt and sin. 

And these awake to find themselves, for life, 
In little sleepy country towns, shut in. 

Some of us long for glory swift and sweet, 
And live a life of pain, and die unknown, 

And some for love do cast our every die, 

And find ourselves betrayed, wrecked — left 
alone. 

Some sit with idle, loveless, empty, hearts, 
And crave a child to play about our door, 

Envying the brawling beggar who. 

May count his dozen half-starved brats — or 
more. 

And thus we tread our little measured track, 
Like pawns about a chess board, moved and 
set, 

We must go on — we do not dare go back. 
We long to cease and end it all, and yet — 

And yet the pitiless power that placed us here, 
Will leave us not until the game is done, 

A game too deep for us to comprehend, 
Or even know the pieces lost and won. 

Always the same, we have no power nor will, 



We can but drift upon a mighty tide, 
Until a Voice shall say to us "Be Still," 
And once more in oblivion we abide. 

Always the same — the same since guilty Cain, 
Crept out of sight to hide his shame's despair. 

We spring like fungus grown up in a night. 
And like fungus, useless — ^anywhere. 

Always the same — we grasp but Dead sea fruit, 
The soul's mute call, no answer hears — nor 
can, 

There is a God whom we do never reach, 

By Him forgotten, in the world's great plan. 

What are we for? Each in his little rut. 

Does grind and grind, and walk his weary 
round, 

And wait for better things, defying Fate, 
Until at last effaced from sight and sound. 

And this is the sum — content — a piteous farce. 
Fame — a delusion — Hope a sad defeat; 

And Love, a thing to fool us mortals with, 
A game where two must play and both shall 
cheat. 



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Come — fill up your flagon — there's plenty here. 

Drink to the winner's name, 
See! there he stands in his purple robes 

Another draught to his fame! 
But the weary wretch who creeps along, 

Curse him nor count the cost. 
Jostle him out — give him a blow, 

Not a tear for him — who lost. 

Bring on your garlands — heap them high 

Fling cut the rose of Love, 
For Beauty stands in servile grace. 

As timid as a dove. 
The rose of Love — to the vanquished goes? 

No crush it nor count the cost — 
Better dead 'neath the victor's feet, 

Than to be flung to him — who lost. 

Praise the winner and shout his name, 

Smile in his greedy face. 
Cower and tremble low at his knee, 

And praise his coveted place. 
Sneer at the vanquished — crowd him out. 

Crush him at any cost. 
Bubble — oh, wine, for the winner's lips. 

There's nothing for him who lost. 



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Love wants no precept, of rod or priest. 

Love yields a lifetime, in one brief hour. 

And that one hour were more at least, 

Than a thousand life-times, without its power. 

Love wants no chains, but its own desire. 

No bonds to hold — no prison-cells. 

At the thought of restraint. Love chafes and 

flies. 
As morning dew that the sun dispells. 

Touch your butterfly to confine. 
And its broken wings, from your finger fall. 
Imprison the Luccioles, wanton light. 
And the wandering firefly dies to all. 

Love wants no answer, but love-sweet eyes. 

No music but whisper of soul, and smile. 

No hope — but the quickening that comes but 

once. 
And makes crucifixion well worth while. 

No eloquence, but the lingering kiss, 
Warm and silent, and passion-fraught, 
Beside whose exultant, awakening thrill, 
Speech were vacant and words were naught. 

Love wants no walls, but crimson aisles. 
Of dreaming lillies, to wander by; 
No light but that of the throbbing stars; 
No roof, but the night's tender canopy. 

And in Love's garden the thorns are hid, 



By the flush of poppies blood-red glow. 
A garden of passion, and hopes and dreams, 
And bitter-sweet longing — that all must know. 
Here peace bends low o'er the water's edge, 
When comes as a whisper from gods on high, 
Laden with the breath of a thousand flowers, 
The touch or Eros, in passing by. 

In its fairness, to some, is the lost mix'age 
And deep in its melodies madness creeps, 
And hid in its cold, white magnolia blooms. 
The dark dread, death-stinging aspic sleeps. 

And having once dreamed, for an hour here, 
The heart rebels, at the rugged plain 
For the spell of the garden's poisoned sweets, 
Ever comes haunting the soul again. 

Ay, the soul rebels at the rugged plain. 
Through the fire of hate — and the stab of pride. 
And ever in longing, looks back, and wails — 
"Unsatisfied, unsatisfied. 



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Oh, give me a draught of the moonlight wine. 
Poured out white, from her heart to mine; 
Oh, nevei was quaffing of port or Rhine, 

That could blot out my life's despair 
Like this subtle sense — so deep — so thrilling — • 
As sad as death, and as sweet and chilling, 
That steeps all my soul, by its splendor stilling 

The smile of the moon so fair. 

Oh, give me a draught of the moonlight wine, 
When friends grow cold and creditors whine 
Like perfume from hidden crypt or shrine 

It steals to my heart and brain, 
Till I swoon to her kiss — the world forgetting, 
Nor ruin, nor wreck, nor love, regretting. 
Nor the tangled skein that my Fate is netting. 

With the sable threads of pain. 

O, give me a draught of the moonlight's wine. 

Let me be drowned in its power divine. 

Let me bathe in it, lave in it — mine, all mine! 

Till my soul be soothed and still. 
What is the world and its empty madness. 
Its running and cunning — and wanton badness, 
It's surfeits of sin or its wails of sadness. 

When the white moon works her will. 



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Oh tuberoses! fragrant, waxen, white — 
HoTV^your touch chills me ariid thrills me tonight! 
And that old dead June drifts out from the past. 
So sudden, so sweet, and too brief to last 
Tuberoses! Ah, and he kissed my throat. 
And he crushed your perfume against my face. 
We parted — and he from my side passed out 
Into the world's unfathomable space. 
And oh, since then, when I feel your breath, 
It goes to my heart like a draught of wine: 
The pain and the madness, sweet as death, 
Scorch me again with a fire divine. 
For one brief moment the past uncloses 
To the cold, sweet touch of white tuberoses. 



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I wonder, sometimes, why I hate you, 

Why my heart, when you go by, 
Quickens its beating-, within my breast, 
Like the ocean's ceaseless mad unrest. 
Why do I hate you — why? 

I hated you first, when you passed me, 

'Twas chill and growing late; 
Though I knew you not, nor yet your name, 
Your dusky eyes set my heart aflame, 

With the maddening thirst of hate. 

I hate your red lips smiling. 

And I burn with enkindled wrath; 
And a look in your eyes, as they meet mine. 
Brings a memory back, I cannot define. 
That you once have crossed my path. 

Your face is as pure as the haw-buds. 

That sweet in the springtime blow. 

But your windswept gown, and flying feet. 

When you pass me by in the noisy street. 

Makes the hate in my heart to glow. 

Can it be that in some past ages, 

'Neath a tropical, foreign, sun. 
We battled together — you and I, 
For something desired, in days gone by. 

And I the defeated one? 



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"Mine!" — and the infant weeps to hold 
The dandled toy in his baby hands; 

"Mine!" — and the man in the money mart 
Sets his seal upon love or lands. 

"Mine!" — and a nation's voice proclaims; 

And blood is spilled upon sea and plain, 
And men go down with prayer, or with curse. 

Under the hell of the bullet's rain. 

From the throne of grace, an all-wise God 
Looks down in pity and love divine. 

On the handful of restless, warring things 
That His will hath made, and calls them 
"Mine!" 



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He shall come in princely power most splendid, 
By the glory and pomp of heaven attended. 
He shall sit on His throne and command His 



own. 



And the reign of earthly kings be ended. 

And wind and storm and hurricane, 

Wild things that swept across the world, 
And tossed and tore and leaped and whirled 
Like wild dogs leashed, shall leap in vain. 
No more shall thunder bolts be hurled. 
Or lightning pierce the earth again. 
Volcano's blast or earthquake's shock, 
That once were wont to rend and rock, 
Shall feel His hand, and trembling, cease 
Before the Prince of Power and Peace. 

The sea that sweeps from shore to shore 

Shall beat itself about no more. 

But lie at rest upon the sands 

Subjected to Divine commands 

The beasts of the wood, untamed and wild, 

Shall do no hurt to man or child. 

But come in meek, submissive awe. 

To recognize Him — Love and Law. 

And birds shall come in flocks and droves 

From crags and nooks, and fields and groves; 
Shall chant a matin loud and long. 
Shall burst their little throats with song — 
One grand, majestic anthem sing. 
Acknowledging Him God and King. 



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And toads and worms, and creeping things, 
Shall lose their vileness and their stings, 
And from their curse shall be set free 
To creep to Him in purity. 

From out their revels and haunts of sin, 
Men and women shall gather in 
To learn His judgment, shall there assemble, 
Shall crouch and cower, and whine and tremble. 
Shall crouch and cower and beg and whine 
For the bartered light of His smile divine. 

Rulers and potentates and kings 

Shall feel his knowledge and power take wings. 

And before Him come, awe-struck and dumb, 
Piteous, wretched, cringing things. 

The wise shall gather from all the earth. 
The pompous and proud, and vain of birth. 
And fall at His feet and pray and entreat. 
And know their nothingness then, complete. 

And they who have ground their fellows down. 

Hoarding each atom, and tithe of gold. 

Who have trampled and crushed to the very 

dust. 
And left the good in their hearts to rust, 
Shall swoon in despair before His face, 
Pleading for mercy and pardon and grace. 
They shall boast of the good their gold has done 
And prate of the little course they run. 
And each little, starved-out, narrow soul. 
Shall lie before Him, unchanged and whole, 
Naked as lies the child, new-born. 
To crave His pity and feel His scorn. 

And beggars, like rats, from their haunts shall 



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creep, 
Dirty, diseased, and dull with sleep. 
They shall kiss His garment and feel His touch, 
Humble and lowly, and trusting much. 
They shall rise in splendor and join the horde 
Of purified souls, who shall praise His word. 
The halt and maimed and blind shall come. 

And they shall see that He is truth 
And stand before Him, mute and dumb, 

Feeling again the thrill of youth. 

The spawn of hell, and filth and crime, 

All prisoners in prison kept. 
Shall fall before His face sublime, 

And weeping, feel that He has wept. 



For a thousand years the King shall reign, 

With wrong subdued and right upheld. 
Poverty, pitiful, and pain. 

By His dear love shall be repelled, 
And then shall drunkenness and vice 
And all the hidden deeds of night 
Of ribald man and wanton maid 
From out the universe take flight. 
Anarchy shall cease its being, 
Hatred and unjust law shall cease 
Before the powerful Prince of Peace, 
All torturing tribunes gives release. 
And Justice — live, not blind, but seeing. 
No more shall warring hordes go forth 
To seek and slay their fellowmen. 
Nor barter kingdoms for a song. 
Nor sell their very souls for gain. 

Virtuous women, fair and true, 



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And noble men as true and brave. 
Steadfast of purpose, staunch and strong. 

Shall use the power the Giver gave, 
And honor and truth shall dwell round the 

throne 
When the Lord God of Hosts comes back to 
His own. 



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I do not know if her face be fair, 
If her eyes be blue or brown. 
I only know, it is always there — 
The sweetest voice in town. 

"Waiting?" — So still and soft it comes 
That low sweet undertone. 
So close in my ear it startles me. 
The voice of the girl at the 'phone. 

She does not know that she stirs me so, 
That my thoughts go flying away. 
To those old sweet childish dreams of mine, 
That are vanished — and gone, for aye. 



"Waiting?" — For what, am I waiting? 
For a few idle words, with a friend, 
Who, three miles across the city, 
Hears — at the other end? 

Waiting! For what are we waiting? 
For glory, or wealth, or love? 
Waiting for fall of empire? 
Or for battle clouds to move? 

Some of us wait and are waiting. 
And have waited — all these years. 
To kiss once more a mother's face. 
That we parted from — in tears. 



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Some of us wait, in agony, 
For a tortured souls release, 
Waiting — for mercy and pardon. 
Waiting — for rest and peace. 

We wait — Oh yes — for forgiveness, 
And we wait, and are waiting — still. 
As we grope, in Life's Gethsemane, 
To know our Father's will. 

Some of us wait, for a ship to come home, 
To its harbor through wind and wave. 
And some of us wait for flowers to bloom. 
On a little infants grave. 

"Waiting?" — And I awaken. 

From the dream, where my thoughts have flown. 

To answer the gentle voice of the girl, 

At the other end of the 'phone. 

Sometimes — I almost tell her — 
That I long have ceased to wait. 
To attain my old ambitions — 
That I bend to the hand of fate. 

And I drift where the tide will take me. 

Away to the open sea — 

But I hope to enter the haven, 

By the Hand, that is guiding me. 



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The car was crowded — the seats were full — 
All going- out to their homes to rest, 

Idle and gay and tired and sad, 
Satin and rags and Sunday best. 

One more passenger straggled in 

And found a corner in which to stand. 

Glancing in vain for a empty seat. 

As she clung to the strap with her palsied 
hand. 

A shabby old woman, crooked and bent. 
With life's sad story on face and form, 

A frail old craft that had sailed the sea, 

And was nearing the haven through wind 
and storm. 

Nobody gave her a seat, and all 

Gazed at her coldly and turned aside 

And drew in their skirts from her soiled gown. 
And sat and chattered in empty pride. 

A wave of pity swept over my heart. 

Though my arms with bundles were laden 
down. 
And I gave the trembling thing my place, 

And stood and watched the passengers frown. 

Ah, her miserable smile, how it cut my heart. 

Oh, why is the world so hard and cold? 
We scorn the wretched and shun the poor. 



And show contempt for the weak and old. 

We, too, may some day be worn and bent, 
And weary and old, and forlorn and sad, 

With no tender hands to smooth our way, 
And no sweet voices to make us glad. 

We may shiver and tremble before the crowd. 
The gay, idle crowd that knows no care, 

That softens no heartache, stills not pain, 
Whose sky is all sunny and sweet and fair. 

With worn, tired feet, and sorrowing hearts, 
We may feebly totter toward our rest. 

Outliving our hopes, and desires, and youth. 
With life's sad secrets — and sorely prest. 

Ah, then for a tender hand or a smile, 

When the night draws near and the winds 
are cold, 

God pity us all who are so bereft 

Of all life's sweetness — when we are old. 



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I am tired of the city's deafening roar, 
I am tired of the constant ceaseless tread, 

Of the many feet that pass my door. 
Of busy seekers for daily bread. 

I am tired of the rush and noise and crowd, 
I want to go back to the shores again, 

Where the showers of bullets fell like rain. 
Where men were cut down like garnered grain. 

Where shell and shrapnel, tore and plowed. 
Where sunset or sunrise, either, found, 

A harvest of dead men stretched on the 
ground. 

When a man has once been through the hell. 
Of the battles fury of shot and shell, 

It is not easy to settle down. 
To a desk and a pen in a busy town. 

Though some men can, but not the man, 
Who has known the sorrow that came to me. 

In that old world city beside the sea; 
Who found Heaven and Hell in a month's brief 
span, 

In Havana the year 
I'hat we fought with Spain. 

It was after the battle's roar was done, 
I lay on the field while the stars shone down, 

And thought of the victory we had won. 
That would bring to our nation a world's re- 



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nown. 

The blood crept out from a wound in my side, 
And I felt that the ebbing crimson tide, would 
bear out my soul — and I grew weak. 
Then 1 felt Death's coldness on hand and 
cheek. 
And came a blackness — I knew no more. 

I opened my eyes after many days. 
When burning fever, had spent its way. 

Opened my eyes to a woman's face, 
Whose wondrous beauty filled all the place. 

A little brown maiden with dusky eyes, 
Who held in the touch of her little hand, 

A power I never could understand. 
She started the blood in my veins to life, 

And set me to loving her. When she turned, 
And looked at me soft-eyed — then I learned. 

That the hope of earth, and the far off skies. 
Is centered sometimes in a woman's eyes. 

She was a Cuban, and lived alone. 
In a hut, that stood on the edge of the town, 

Father and mother and brothers had died. 
They called her a witch for her strength and 
pride, 

A strength and pride — they could not break 
down. 
She stabbed a man once who had come too near. 

She struck him down — the dog that he was. 
She put her foot on the coward's neck. 

And dared them to touch her. Half in fear, 
Half in jesting they shrunk away, 

All of them cowards with nothing to say. 

How she hated and loathed them, but to me 



She was all that endurance and love could be, 

She tended the wound that the shell had 
shattered, 
And gave me to eat. Ah, but little it mattered, 

That the summer days were hot and long, 
That nations were warring for right or wrong. 

If she could but soothe me with smile or song, 
And make one to know, I was growing strong. 

When the wound had healed I made her my 
wife. 
Then one short week — It was all my life. 

And I marched off to the front again. 
To shoot and be shot at by dogs of Spain, 

Back to the horror and blood and dying. 
Back to the shell and bullets flying. 

And the summer breeze o'er the dead men 
sighing. 
Then it came to an end — as all things end. 

Over the land, breathed the voice of peace, 
And we tired soldiers found release. 

And set us to longing for home and friend. 

Then I sought out her hut, but all I found. 
Was heap of ashes spread on the ground. 

And the chimney standing, a spectre lone. 
Guarding the spot, that our love had known. 

I have never found her, nor do I know 
If she be in Heaven or here below, 

But I get restless on nights like these, 
And the moonlight yonder across the town. 

And the touch on the face ,of the soft night 
breeze, 
Blowing fresh and damp from the southern seas, 

Makes a mad thing of me, I seem to feel. 
The clasp of warm brown arms that are cling- 
ing, 



A voice that low in my ear is ringing, 
The scent of her breath and her dusky hair, 
Her rose blossom mouth, and her face so fair, 

And the silken sweep of her gown 
Nor raging nor raving can still the pain. 

That comes back to torture my heart again, 
The pain of the love that I found and lost. 

In Havana the year that 
We fought with Spain. 



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He wished her "Good-bye" at the gate. 

To leave her was a task, 
He craved to speak, and learn his fate, 

But did not dare to ask. 
A cloud went drifting o'er the moon. 

He bent and kissed her hand; 
She stood and coldly smiled at him, 

And would not understand. 

He wished her "Good-bye" at the gate, 

And when he'd left her side, 
She knew that she had marred her fate, 

By her relentless pride. 
Before her stretched the hopeless years; 

She might live to be old! 
She stayed and sobbed an hour there, 

Whom he had thought so cold. 

They met once more, in after life. 

As people often meet; 
He, with his grown-up sons, and wife 

In a crowded city street; 
He shivered as he met her gaze, 

And when he touched her hand. 
Too late — across the waste of years. 

They both did understand. 



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Say "good-bye" and let us part. 

What's the use o' crying? 
What means words atween us two? 

Ther' ain't no use a sighin'. 

Tears my heart to leave you so, 

'D rather die to-morrow. 
Than let them eyes o' yourn meet mine 

With such a look o' sorrow. 

Thought she's dead a year ago, 
She went and lef me weepin' 
Lef the home-nes' an' the vines, 
Lef the baby sleepin'. 

Heard she's dead — an' then found you — 

Don't look at me so, "Honey;" 
Rather 'n you'd think I'm to blame, 

I'd rather lose a world o' money. 

Put your arms around my neck, 
An' kiss me once — jes' so, dear; 

The game's called 'fore we'd turned the cards; 
Good-bye — I'll hev' ter go, dear. 



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Ob. the dull cold grey of the afternoon, 

The chill of winter is in the sky, 

The birds go Southward in search of June, 

And a few poor roses have bloomed to die. 

I think of you and your face so fair, 

And the silken gleam of your yellow hair. 

It was Christmas tide — four years ago, 
Christmas tide — that you broke your vow, 
A Christmas white with the drifted snow. 
I wonder little one, where you are now? 
Out in the world, I guess, somewhere, 
Tanglin^E,^ lives v/ith your yellow hair. 

Your yellow hair, that gleamed and shone, 
And clung round your head a halo of gold, 
You looked like a queen of days long gone. 
Told in legends of Norsetime old. 
And I thrilled at the thought, and would some- 
times dare 
Kiss the silken ends of your golden hair. 

How I trusted and dreamed — how I trusted 

and dreamed. 
By the dead Christ's pain, I'd have sworn you 

true. 
For of all sweet women on earth there seemed. 
None other so faithful and sweet as you. 
And you bound me stronger than vows could 

swear, 
By each shining thread of your yellow hair. 



It was madman's folly I know — and still 

I dream of you always — on days like this, 

For you swayed me once like a slave at your 

will, 
And bent me to dust at your feet for a kiss. 
And I risked my all on your face so fair, 
And the glittering coils of your golden hair. 

You are his by law — ^you are mine by love. 
Mine by your vow that you reckless, gave. 
In the sight of the King of the court above. 
You are mine and shall be — beyond the grave. 
For though you were false as you were fair, 
You chained my soul with your yellow hair. 



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My ship sailed out in the Summer time 

When the sunny skies were blue. 

And its hold was laden with hopes and dreams 

And the plan of a purpose true. 

I watched it across the sunlit sea 

'Till my waiting eyes grew dim, 

And I said "God send it back to me, 

Safe, through its perils grim." 

I found it again — after many years, 

Afar in the frozen north — 

Shattered its sails, and its beauty wrecked, 

Which in majesty, had sailed forth. 

The frozen bergs, on either side, 

Towered up to a frozen sky, 

While borne on the bosom of the tide, 

The isles of ice sailed by. 

« « Hi « * 

I gathered my wreck and I brought it in. 
To my sunlit shores with me. 
But the treasure I laid, in its secret hold, 
Was lost in that frozen sea. 



<r^^^^^3 Ct3 tt] Ct] G^^S^^ 



(T^S^^S i:?3 C?3 Cti i^^S^^ 



2j0ttp ®i|rfnob^ 



Oh tender maiden, life is sweet, 
Love's votive offering at your feet, 
Your rapture seems almost complete — 
Then telJ me why you falter. 

Is it because — Oh timid maid, 
Within your heart you are afraid, 
This Love for which your soul has prayed, 
May one day change and alter? 

I would that words of mine could still, 
The doubts and fears that bode you ill. 
That oft recur against your will. 
But could I, would I do it? 
I know that life is dim and strange. 
We grope for shadows at long range, 
And all things subjected to change — 
So those who love must rue it. 

For when the fires of love have died. 
And cold has grown the scarlet tide, 
Which scorched the soul, and rent the pride, 
In mad relentless fashion. 
No lav; on earth, no prince in hell. 
No power, no pain, can force a spell. 
By cross, or crown, by ring or bell. 
Whose bonds will fetter passion! 



^^^<i^^3 Ct] Ct] Ct] g^^^S^^ 



•^^as^^s [ti It] ct] e^^s^i^ 



^mntih 



What can it be that calls me — calls me — 

calls me — 
Calls me at night — at dawn — at burning noon. 
From out the waves — from out the sighing 

trees, 
From out the cloud dimmed splendour of the 

moon, 
Why do I stop sometimes and dazed stand. 
And with a strange vague ecstasy rejoice? — 
Because some vagrant tone amid the throng, 
Awakes the memoried music of your voice. 

Why do I pause sometimes in revels gay, 
And feel the world slip from me like a dream, 
Seeing a sea of dim blurred faces pass. 
Which suddenly most strange and vacant 

seem? — 
Because for one mad moment I forget 
The awful wrecking of our Paradise, 
And see through misty tears that drain my soul 
The well remembered heaven of your eyes. 



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(SUlilii poma 



C^i^^^^ CS3 CS3 C!3 S^^gS^^ 



A CHIjnstmaB SluUabg 



Sleep Baby. 

In the silent hours of slumber. 

Once a mother watched like me. 

Kissed her babe's soft crumpled fingers, 

Stroked his fair cheek tenderly. 

And the herds stood all about her, 

For the cradle where he lay, 

Was an old and dingy manger, 

Hard and cold and filled with hay. 

Could she feel he was divine? 
Baby mine. 

Sleep Baby. 

No rich walls adorned with pictures, 

As there are for you and me. 

Cobwebbed rafters, wild-eyed cattle. 

All there were for her to see. 

"All the little birds have nests," 

But in all the world 'tis said. 

The Son of Man had on his birth-night, 

Not a place to lay his head. 

No soft cushions as are thine. 
Baby mine.' 

Sleep Baby. 

I can feel her mother's passion. 
In the stable's midnight dim. 
Fearful even of the Wise Men, 
Who had come to worship Him, 



Till she heard the Angels singing, 
"Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men, 
For to you is born a Saviour, 
Lift your hearts to God again." 

Kissed His eyes as I kiss thine, 
Baby mine. 



<r^^!^^^^^^^^^ 



<r^2=a^,^5 Ct] [t] C?3 f^^^3^>r^ 



mtk Slab 



He grows more boyish, day by day; 
He comes in, breathless, from his play. 
And has such funny things to say; 
I sometimes wonder where can be. 
The warm, soft, tiny, nestling, thing. 
That used to cuddle close by me. 
And slumber gently, while I'd sing. 

Some day he'll be a cold, hard man, 
To take his part in life's great plan, 
And crush and trample as men can; 
And with my shadows, I shall sit. 
Too empty hearted then — to weep. 
While hallowed memories, round me flit. 
And rock my shadow — babe, to sleep. 



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<r^=s^^s ct] ct] cf] s^=^»^5£^ 



m lahg iifb 



When baby died and went away, 
Polly en' me was out at play, 
En' or Miss Jones stuck out her head: 
"Children, come in — the baby's dead, 
D'you want ter see the corpse?" en' we 
Jes' run in awful fast to see. 
We didn't know what a corpse was then. 
We thought 'twas somethin' skeery — en* 
We slipped in so still en* soft. 
For fear 'twould get us — never laughed 
Nor nothen. On her little bed, 
With sunshine streamin' 'round her head, 
En' her ol' raggy doll hugged up tight. 
She was asleep, en' not a mite 
Of noise. I looked at Polly, en' her at me, 
En' we wondered where the corpse could be. 
En' all the neighbors sat en' sighed. 
When baby died. 

When baby died 

The whole big room 
Was filled with flowers, en' their perfume 
Comed stealin' out along the hall. 
En' nobody noticed us at all. 
Nor washed my face nor combed my hair. 
Nor even heard my little prayer. 
En' Polly, she runned down the street. 
Without her hat, in her stockin' feet. 
En' didn't git spanked. I could a stole 
A great big pie en' eat it whole, 



<;"?S.;^.^g C|3 [t] ct] s^^^^ 



But I didn't want ter. Took no pride 
In eatin', 

After baby died. 

When baby died — 

My grandpa come, 
En' set around like he was dumb, 
En' a million carriages or more 
Was packed en' jammed about our door, 
En' two men passed en' one said, "whew! 
"I guess they's a party here, don't you?" 
En' Jim, the bootblack, frowned, en' said: 
"This here boy's little sister's dead," 
En' I felt awful proud, you see, 
Like the whole blame thing belonged to me, 
Fer Polly en' me, we stood outside, 
To see the show — 

When baby died. 

When baby died — 

The whole long night 
Pa walked the floor 'til plum daylight. 
En' Polly en' me kept wide awake, 
Countin' the steps that he would take. 
En' sweet Aunt Nell come in en* said 
We had ter be good, now sis was dead. 
So that after while, when we come to die 
She would flutter down from the big, blue sky, 
A soft white angel, en' lift us in, 
Out o' this big ol' world of sin. 
But mother — she just cried en' cried. 
Like her heart was broke. 

When baby died. 



^-^m/m^^^^ 



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3n iif mnr^ 



"Lines to your Darling's memory!" 
Oh yes, I will gladly write, 
If thoughts of mine can picture, 
Your baby to you, tonight. 

But oh, can my words awaken 
The form, the grave bonds hold. 
Or touch into living beauty. 
Once more those curls of gold? 

Can I fill the room with her laughter. 
Or the sound of her flying feet, 
Or press to your hungry lips again. 
Her kisses, so moist and sweet? 

Can I still that fierce dumb longing, 
In the solemn hours of night. 
When you wake with a rush of memory 
That her soul has winged its flight. 

Wherever you look you miss her. 
How bleak seems your life and chill! 
When you realize that through all the way. 
To the end you will miss her still. 

Do you feel when you go home at even, 
A terror far worse than Death? 
Do you tremble at sight of her doll or toys. 
With a sob that chokes your breath? 

Then what can I say to comfort. 
Since the light of your life is gone, 
To help you to bravely bear your pain. 
Till "the coming of the dawn?" 



MxBSsh 



We stood beside his little grave today; 
Dead leaves had piled in drifts upon the mound. 
We hushed our voices, there above his clay, 
So unresponsive, now to any sound. 
The wind kept sighing — sighing as it passed. 
We bent our heads, the blinding tears to hide. 
The house has been a lonely, lonely place. 
To "Mother," since the day that "Baby" died. 

His toys lie scattered all about the yard. 
A broken bicycle — a little rusty gun. 
Marbles and tops, and bits of iron and sticks. 
Just as he left them when the day was done. 
The room is never littered now with scraps. 
Or little muddy boot-tracks on the floor; 
His little busy, planning, hands are still; 
His sweet, voice answers to our call no more. 

The doves he played with, coo the whole day 

long, 
Mournful and sad as if they miss him, yet. 
The dog he petted, hunts for him and whines. 
Whines at his name, and faithful can't forget. 
When night comes on, his little form we miss. 
His soft, brown eyes, and golden curly head; 
The rosy lips we used to love to kiss — 
For oh! The little laughing boy is dead. 



C-^^^.^3 Ct] Ct3 Ct] 5^=^5=5^ 



<r^^i^^S C!3 C^] C?3 2^=^!i^J> 



ICoat 



The baby fingers, 
Are cold and still, 

That warm to my heart I've pressed. 

And the form so slight, 
Lies rigid and white. 

In the mocking grave clothes dressed. 

There is something I miss, 
From my path today. 

That was of my life a part. 

And the clutching pain. 
Comes again and again, 

And tightens about my heart. 

I hear the clods. 
Pall one by one, 

I hold my trembling breath. 

'Tis not a prayer, 
I utter there, 

I hate, I hate you death! 

I have tasted the cup. 
With the bitterness. 

Perhaps the clouds may lift. 

Have I turned from the grace 
Of the Giver's face. 

To idolize the gift? 



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iit0r^Uan^0«0 



'^■^^^^i^ti^^t^'^iS^ 



m 3lt fou? 



'Twas not the sound of martial notes 

Upon the pulsing air, 
That made her to the window fly 

And breathlessly stand there. 

'Twas not the sight of banners gay, 
Nor knightly troops arrayed. 

That held the quick and pulsing gaze 
Of this entrancing maid. 

'Twas neither grand nor pomp nor show, 

It was — it was — alas! 
She had but to the window flown 

To watch the postman — pass. 



g3Ct]Ct]C!3 5^=^^J^^ 



ABBortattott 



In the days of old — so run an ancient tale, 
The gods made men, then came from far and 

wide. 
The Fates, to them endow with all things good, 
Each with her gift bag hanging at her side. 

Then Ate sitting in a Safe retreat 

Their mischief planned, and, shame to tell of, 
As each Fate passed, her hand went in the pot 

Of gifts, and slyly filched therefrom a bit. 

To some was given genius, to some hope 

Courage to some, and faith to do and dare; 

But she who carried truth, had spent her store, 
And emptiness was all. Ate, found there. 

When far dispersed the gods, and Fate had gone. 

Ate crept forth and in the twilight dim. 
Beautiful and grand, she fashioned out a man, 

And lavished all her golden gifts on him. 

Then startled, half drew back, afraid, 
Her red lips closing in a childish pout 

Courage and genius, faith and hope were his. 
And yet the maiden mischief was in doubt. 

"No truth, what is the creature worth," she said, 
"No truth, no truth, what can I use him for?" 
Then suddenly her rippling laugh rang out: 



She kissed him saying: "Be an Editor." 

And that delightful charm all others lack, 
Which never in an Editor you miss, 

That Light, insouciant bon comradeire. 
Is consequent of naughty Ate's kiss. 



f^^^^ Cf3 Ct] (t] G^^^S^^ 



«r^as^^SCt]C?3C?3 



®Ijp iltthtana 



Long- years ago, when the echoing wind 
Swept o'er miles of prairie land, 
When the whiterobed moon only rose at night, 
Swept o'er miles of prairie land, 

Here on the banks of the Brazoa wide. 
Dwelt a tribe of Indians, fierce and proud, 
And oft in the stillness of the night, 
The hills would ring with their war-cry loud. 

Harsh in battle, stern in peace, 
They kept the other tribes at bay. 
And death to the ones who dared rebel, 
Very kings of their land were they. 

The little village thrived and grew", 
Till the pale-face came with weapons strong, 
And then the brave chiefs dying sang, 
Their last and lonely battle song, 

The brown skinned babes, lay cold and dead, 
In the shadow of the old chief's tent. 
And in the glowing of the dawn. 
The whites in triumph, came and went. 

The years slipped by — The river's depths 
Are spanned by the bridges wide and tall 
Where the wigwams stood, great factories are. 
And engine smoke drifts over all. 

The beaten path is a wide paved street, 

And here in the spot where the wild mustang, 



Shook its flowing mane in the silence free 
Here where the dove to its loved mate sangr, 
Stand houses and trees, and tall church spires, 
And electric cars glide swiftly on, 
And the hillside spring gushes forth in a stream, 
But we sometimes think of the race long gone. 

And we wonder what would the Wacoes say- 
Could they see their struggling village — now, 
Would they stand submissive, with sad dazed eyes 
And low at the feet of the conquerer bow? 
And we dream of a phantom shape that flits, 
High in the moonlight over the town. 
And lost in the memory of the past, 
With a weary sigh looks wistfully down. 

And we think the old chief is reconciled 
When he looks on the change the years have 

wrought, 
And content to sleep with his own loved tribe. 
And give way to the peace with his own blood 

bought. 



(T^^S^^S [t] (t] C^ 5^^^^ 



C-J^i^^^^S C^ Ct] C?3 E^^^S^^ 



©Ijat (Earn 



He passes sometimes in the early dawn 
With rope hung over his arm. 

A stout little man with a quick, brisk step 
And a face of meek alarm. 

He fastens his eyes upon each grazing herd. 

To see if his own be there, 
Then lost in the distance, I watch him go, 

To look for her everywhere. 

He is always hunting that cow of his; 

Though he fastens her up at night, 
"With morning's dawn she is out and gone, 

O'er hill and away from sight. 

She evades his search sometimes for days. 

One night with a lantern he passed. 
On his same old weary, monotonous trail. 

While rain fell thick and fast. 

I've grown to watch for him now to come, 
Quick o'er the low hill's brow. 

He's part of the landscape — part of the day. 
For he's always hunting his cow. 



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©Iff ipatif of Mv, (Eax- 
An ArttBt 



Like one who lieth down to pleasant dreams, 

He fell asleep upon a Summer's day. 
Brief was his summons — briefer still the end, 

When passed from earth to heav'n his soul 
away. 
Surrounded by the work he loved so well, 

Among- enchanted mountain's purple mist, 
While wild birds poured to heav'n their vesper 
song-. 

From, vales by Summer's wanton glory kissed. 

He fell asleep, his long-, long journey done, 

Leaving no half regret or hope behind; 
And they he strove by gentle means, to teach. 

Not soon his kind and simple like may find. 
He loved his Art, with that unerring faith. 

Which makes its object dear as honor is. 
He was content when canvas held, and kept 

Some one of Nature's wondrous mysteries. 

The fields of sunflowers he was wont to limn. 

Fading away in one pale, yellow drift. 
And Texas skies, so sunny, blue and fair. 
Or prairie, swept by sand-storm — blinding, 
swift. 
Cool little streams, where light and shadow 
played, 
Cotton fields, which seemed like Summer 
snow, 



^^^^^S^'^S C?3 Cf] C^ G^^S^^J) 



Vistas of humble azure clover bloom, 

These were his own — because he loved them so. 

His purpose was to lift to purer heights, 

Love of the Beautiful, and thus impart 
A yearning- for the Good, and deep desire 

To reach Perfection's goal in every heart. 
Sonorous as the chime which told his hour. 

Sonorous as his solemn funeral knell, 
The hearts of they who followed to his tomb, 

Did beat in mournful measure a farewell. 

Oh, Clover! Blossom on his silent grave; 

Oh Mockingbird, pour out your melody 
Above the semblance of the man we loved. 

Whose soul has put on Immortality! 



^■^^^=^3 Ct] Ct] Cf] S^^S^^ 



^^aa^^^i Ctj C?3 C?3 ii^=^S:Sg^ 



(iiu^B 



Taps! Lights out! Stacked arms! 

At the end is the last long tramp. 
Let him sleep till the bugles' reveille call 

Shall awake the celestial camp. 

One more picket off duty, 

"Who the silent vigils kept; 
No matter how stormy or dark the night, 

He faltered not — nor slept. 

Gone from the fray and action, 

Is his pure and spotless soul, 
No more will he stand on the tented field. 

In answer to muster roll. 

With the hosts of troops supernal, 

He shall pass in glad review; 
And the King on His throne will find him, 

Honored and trusted and true. 

Breathe softly one last bugle tribute. 

As sounds each falling clod; 
"Loyal to home and country — 

Faithful to man and God." 

Taps! Lights out! Off duty! 

Furl the flag across his breast; 
And leave him to sleep, till reveille's sound, 

The sleep of a hero at rest. 



^^S^^^S ft] ft] Ct3 5^:^5=5^ 



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(A bit of verse dedicated to my cousin, Capt. 
Robley D. Evans.) 

When the boys go marching by, 
With their guns and coats of blue, 

I think that I feel what our mothers felt. 

In the days of sixty-two. 

There's a tremor about my heart, 

And soft tears in my eye; 

And to me they all are heroes, 
When the boys go marching by. 

When the boys go marching by. 

In the gray of the early dawn, 
I turn from the window away to hide 

My tears — when they are gone. 
And I wonder if some mother's son 

Will in far off Cuba die. 
Away from the sun-kissed soil of his birth. 

When the boys go marching by. 

When the boys go marching by, 

So proud and erect and true. 
Who have offered their lives and hearts and 
hands 

Their country's will to do; 
I catch up my toddling boy, 

And I turn away and sigh, 
And I'm glad — and I'm sorry he is not one 

Of the boys that are marching by. 



<^^^i^^5 C?3 Ct] C?3 G^^^S^S^ 



Ollinatmaa tn #an itfgo 



Christmas? Yes? Why it seems like June! 
Hear the wildbird's melody, all in tune. 
See the Summer's glory, on sky and sea! 
Christmas, you say? Can it really be? 
The bells ring out on the perfumed air, 
With the odor of roses everywhere. 
The violet droops and hangs its head, 
In the shadow cool of its mossy bed. 
While the butterfly poised on its silken wing, 
Flits past — a shimmering, shadowy thing. 
Like a soul drawn back by the love of earth. 
To visit once more its place of birth. 
How the bold poinsettias scarlet flame. 
Flaunts her wanton beauty, to all the same, 
And the odor of tuberose pale and sweet, 
Sends its cloying breath to our very feet. 
While the regal lilly stands in pride. 
Arrayed in white, like a virgin bride. 
Like a ball of fire the sun glides on, 
Through the blaze of noon, from the birth of 

dawn. 
And crimsons the sky in his majesty. 
As he drops from sight in a golden sea, 
In a languorous dream we scan the bay. 
At the glorious end of Christmas day. 

Christmas? Strange! Then we close our eyes. 
And shut out the gleam of sunkissed skies. 
And before our vision, in dim review, 
Comes another Christmas, that once we knew. 
The air is crisp and the wind is chill. 



C-^ac^=@3 Ct] ($1 CS3 !i^^S=Si^ 



And the soft snow drifts over vale and hill. 

And smoke curls up from each chimney throat, 

As robins utter a tender note. 

The trees are leafless — the gardens bare. 

Not a vestige of blossom, anywhere. 

And even the snowdrop reaching up. 

To catch the light in her crystal cup. 

Catches instead, from His icy breath. 

In her perfumed chalice, the wine of Death. 

But Ah! what a happy busy throng, 
Treads the market place, the whole day long. 
The streets are gay with noise and mirth. 
In festive joy for the Saviour's birth. 
While the very beggar, whose wrinkled hand. 
Makes of your purse a just demand. 
Smiles as he hobbles and limps away, 
And shows he is glad it is Christmas day. 
The children shout, and the snowballs fly, 
As the jingling bells of the sleigh go by. 
And a glad cry rings through the world again. 
"Peace on Earth and Good Will to Men!" 

We sigh for the East — and we sing with the West. 
Which Christmas day do we love the best? 



^^S«^»^S Cj] ft] Ct] i^=^/^^:> 



<^^^m^^^^^^^^^i^^ 



^n (Eliantg 



It was Christmas time — it was Christmas tide, 
By the soft, pure, garment of drifted snow, 
That lay outspread on the whole world wide; 
Within a mansion there shone a glow, 
And gleam of light; and clear sweet strains, 
A chanting of Yuletide's glad refrains. 

With holly and cedar the room was decked. 
The tree in the midst hung a glitter with toys, 
With flash of candle and tinsel hung, 
With gift and gladness and Christmas joys; 
And around were gathered in youth's delight, 
A crowd to welcome the Christmas night. 

Silk and satin and jewel and fur. 
Dark eyes lit with a joy intense, 
But Ruth was the fairest of all and her 
Sweet face shone in its innocence, 
Quick and eager and gay was she. 
And the belle of the Christmas revelry. 

In the midst of the frolic a cry was heard. 
Out in the dark — in the street alone, 
Cold as a poor little wounded bird. 
Stood a beggar child on the cold step stone; 
And with curious eyes that meant no sin. 
To amaze and dazzle — they let her in. 

"Give her some cake," one said, and turned 
Away to a corner with dainties piled, 
Where a beautiful silver astral burned, 



Ct3Ct3Ct|g^^^3^5^ 



And brought and gave to the weeping child. 
"No! let's give her a book," said one; 
"The pictures will be to her lots of fun." 

But in piteous grief the child wept on — 
Though with joy and mirth the room was rife. 
'Till — "Let us give her a doll" — ^said one. 
"She may never have had one, in all her life." 
From the topmost bough, they reached it down; 
But she hid her face in her tattered gown. 

"Then what do you want little girl?" said Ruth. 
Ruth could have melted a heart of stone, 
When she lifted her eyes full of innocent truth, 
And coaxed and pleaded in such a tone. 
Then the child flashed up — "Can I help crying. 
When hungry and cold, my mother is dying?" 

"You offer me food and toys — but who 

Of all this crowd would follow me there, 

Where in dirt and rags, she is lying alone. 

And kiss her and breathe for her soul a prayer? 

I do not want your toys and cake — 

But a woman's love — for my mother's sake." 

There was breathless silence — then one by one. 
With murmur and jest away they turned, 
And the same old wrong again was done. 
And the beggar was left unpitied and spurned; 
She crouched in a corner, and shivered and 

cried, 
And none of them thought of the crucified. 

"I will go," said Ruth. Then they said, "Ah, why. 
Should you for this beggar, our evening spoil?" 
What is the use if the woman must die? 
She will be released from a life of toil." 



"Take care of the child, help her," they said, 
"Anyhow, beggars are better off — dead." 

Her beautiful eyes, and beautiful face! 

She put them to shame as she stood like a 

queen, 
Wrapping- the beggar with tender grace, 
And gentle dignity seldom seen. 
Then she threw on her hood and cloak and 

smiled, 
And out in the darkness went with the child. 

Ah, why should I tell of what she found. 
Of hunger, poverty, want and despair. 
Of starved out body and starved out soul. 
Of rickety roof or of rickety stair; 
In pity she watched all night by her side, 
And in Ruth's white arms the woman — died. 

Ah, Ruth! It is years since that Christmas night. 
The snows have for twenty years whitened your 

mound. 
Covering you over with mantel white. 
Folding you in from all sight and all sound — 
But hot tears fall and lashes are wet. 
Recalling a Christmas I cannot forget. 



^^^A^^^S C?] Ct] Cf: 5^=^5=5^ 



^^2=5^=^3 Ct] C?3 [t3 S^^^S^Lp 



A Summer lag 



Do you recall the day on the sands, 
And the sound of the waves soft sighing, 
Your eyes sought mine, and we clasped our 

hands. 
And our hearts were in joy replying. 
For oh it was sweet by the low tuned sea. 
To picture our lives auspicious — 
The cup was full — we took but a sip — 
But oh was it not delicious. 

We wrote our names, do you still recall, 
And we drew a ring around them. 
Then our rioting hearts made us blind to all, 
Till the mad hearted waves had found them. 
Like our sweet summer dream, they were 

washed from sight, 
By a hateful tide — and vicious. 
The cup was full — we took but a sip — 
But, oh was it not delicious? 



^^J^j^^a C?3 C?3 C^ G^^sSr^ 



ut^ y J905 



